Reviews - Fava

Cheese, Falafel, Lunch

Reviews summary

Fava, a vibrant takeout spot in Berkeley, dazzles with its fresh Mediterranean-inspired dishes and lively atmosphere. Guests are enchanted by the flavorful falafel, beautifully presented salads, and hearty soups, all crafted from high-quality ingredients. Signature items such as sweet potato fries, mango lassi, and chocolate chip cookies leave a lasting impression. While the limited hours may pose a challenge, the emphasis on wholesome, healthy eating makes every visit worthwhile. With pulsating music spicing up the street dining experience, Fava stands out as a must-visit culinary gem in Berkeley, perfect for those seeking flavorful, refreshing meals on the go.

Overall Total Score
4.9 out of 5
Outstanding | 1440 reviews

Was Jamie Ginsberg at Fava a mag?

The vibe starts with pulsating music, a few seats on the street and friendly efficient team working the take out counter. I love an overflowing Falafael, each bite was full of vegetables with flavors worth chewing and enjoying. Don’t compare this to your traditional, compare it to what you hope is available in the future! I’ll be back for the sweet potato fries! View all feedback.

What LM dislikes about Fava:

Who taught you how to make falafel ?!? And the FLATBREAD ?!? The chai ?!?!? This was probably one of the worst places I’ve been to in a while for that price point I would expect a more evenly balanced fritter and chai. This was so disappointing not to mention the hummus was also lacking. Service: Takeaway Price per person: $20–30 Food: 1 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 View all feedback.

Reviews from various users

Int Restaurants

Last update : 10.02.2026

4.9 ★ from 134 reviews
connie-mi-lawyer9868
10.02.2026

Super fresh ingredients and really delicious! Open for takeout only and order ahead if you don’t want to wait the line.

morgan-lambert-2
10.02.2026

Delicious high quality Falafel. Lots of fresh herbs little bit of spice in there. I wish there was a little fresh tomato and a little little sliced red onion, however very good

stephen-hokanson-cat
10.02.2026

This is one of my go to lunch spots. Their hours of operation are sort of limited and primarily in the midst of the work week, but the brightest flames burn out first. Super fresh, healthy Mediterranean style food a la California. Every single thing on the menu is excellent. Who knew broccoli could be so tasty? Who knew a red cabbage slaw could usurp an entire meal? Who knew a boiled egg could melt in your mouth like custard? I didn't really care for tabouleh before FAVA, but wowow theirs is go

stebs-store475
10.02.2026

Absolutely delicious. The food tastes so so fresh and the flavours are really unique. We got the salmon, spicy chicken and falafel/hummus side. Definitely going back a lot.

Restaurantsdb

Last update : 30.07.2025

5.0 ★ from 1165 reviews
lm-restaurant6
30.07.2025

Who taught you how to make falafel ?!? And the FLATBREAD ?!? The chai ?!?!? This was probably one of the worst places I’ve been to in a while for that price point I would expect a more evenly balanced fritter and chai. This was so disappointing not to mention the hummus was also lacking. Service: Takeaway Price per person: $20–30 Food: 1 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

d-q-store6793
30.07.2025

Food is a little too salty, other than that everything is good. Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Service: Takeaway Price per person: $10–20 Recommended dishes: Salad

amy-kiser-2
30.07.2025

I love the food and friendly service from this narrow little sliver of a place. It's very casual, with little cafe tables for people-watching while I eat perfectly cooked salmon with the freshest tender veggies. From their mango lassi to their recent angel food cake with passionfruit, they let the flavors be complex (not just the taste of sugar). The vibe is that they treat their staff well, too. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Sirved

Last update : 15.06.2025

4.8 ★ from 9 reviews
bridgette-bartell
15.06.2025

Really good falafel sandwich with loads of fresh cilantro and some mint for a twist. Fun Berkeley sidewalk dining experience. I was drawn in by the loud fun funk music. I'm sure their neighbors aren't to appreciative of the thumping music, but it made fora fun experience.

bridgette-bartell
15.06.2025

Delicious, fresh, nutritious. The beautiful colors and textures of the falafel plate left me completely satisfied. First your eyes will feast, then your taste buds.

zabshire-4
15.06.2025

Was looking for a bakery and stumbled on to Fava by mistake. Best mistake ever! The spicy chicken sandwich was unbelievable! So fresh and full of flavor. I highly recommend and definitely will be going back again.

rowe-mose
15.06.2025

YUM! The food is SO fresh and made with love. Deeply nourishing meals.

kit-lai-pine-2
28.12.2023

This is one of my favorite lunch spots. Their operating hours are somewhat limited and mostly during the work week, but the best things often come to an end quickly. They serve super fresh, healthy Mediterranean-style food with a California twist. Every item on the menu is outstanding. Who would have thought broccoli could be so delicious? Who would have thought a red cabbage slaw could steal the show? Who would have thought a boiled egg could taste like custard? I wasn't a fan of tabbouleh before trying it here, but FAVA's version is amazing. Eating here makes me feel better, both physically and mentally, for the rest of the day. Their commitment to using fresh and healthy ingredients really shines through in the dining experience. Wholesome is the perfect word to describe it. Be sure to try the soup, the salad, and especially the mango lassi. The desserts are simple but delightful. Every penny spent here is well worth it. This is a takeout-only establishment with no seating. If you prefer to dine in the area, you can head to Sunnyside Cafe or Saul's for open tables, or relax at the free public patio at Saul's, or find a spot at the tables near Peet's. I've never seen anyone get in trouble for doing this.

Restaurantji

Last update : 01.11.2023

4.8 ★ from 130 reviews
sarah-gardner-fish86
01.11.2023

The food at this restaurant is amazing, with delicious flavors and beautifully presented dishes. Everything tastes very fresh. I highly recommend trying the falafel plate, hummus, ginger tea, and chocolate chip cookie. My only regret is that they are not open for dinner as well.

jamie-ginsberg
01.11.2023

The vibe starts with pulsating music, a few seats on the street and friendly efficient team working the take out counter. I love an overflowing Falafael, each bite was full of vegetables with flavors worth chewing and enjoying. Don’t compare this to your traditional, compare it to what you hope is available in the future! I’ll be back for the sweet potato fries!

omar-alkendi-smiley
01.11.2023

The falafel was amazing! It was probably one of the best falafel I have ever had in the US. The salmon was delicious, and I enjoyed the fresh herbs and vegetables that accompanied it. The chicken was fantastic as well. The lentil soup was heavenly and is a must try!

aki-l-jiang-1
01.11.2023

Takeout only, hole-in-the-wall kind of lunch spot and the food is solid. Chicken sandwich and lentil soup are both so delicious!

groucho-saidit-engin
01.11.2023

Superb! In particular, the salad was just delightful. Also especially liked the salmon.

Menu

Last update : 17.09.2022

5.0 ★ from 2 reviews
aniya99
17.09.2022

This was my first dining experience in Berkeley. Our daughter brought us to Fava for a wonderful meal. We enjoyed soup, a marinated beet salad with goat cheese, falafel with pita bread, and a salmon salad. Every dish was made with fresh, flavorful ingredients. The service was outstanding. Fava is definitely a must-visit spot in Berkeley!

dudley31
17.09.2022

The ingredients at Fava are exceptionally fresh, and the dishes taste fantastic! They serve only dinner, so I suggest making a reservation in advance to skip the wait.

FAQ

The average evaluation of 4.9 shows that the place is one of the favorites of all its visitors.

The second closest parking lot is Pacific School of Religion, located 668 meters away from Fava.

These Images from Fava from Berkeley have been uploaded by the Menu community. They showcase the eatery at Fava, its interior, location and of course, fantastic Photos of the delicious menus from Fava.

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